As part of its effort to ensure that the 2019 general elections are not rigged in Akwa Ibom State, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has disclosed its plan to deploy about 1,000 men to each of the polling units in the state to man its votes on Saturday February 16 and March 2, elections in the state.

Governor Udom Emmanuel, who said this on Tuesday, during the grand finale of PDP rally at Onna Sports Stadium, said the measure was to frustrate plans by the opposition APC, to truncate a free, credible and peaceful polls in the state.

The governor stressed that PDP would not give the APC room to manipulate the figures of votes as they were already on ground to defend their votes.

He also commended the PDP youths who have embraced the peaceful disposition of his administration and have worked so hard to maintain peace throughout the electioneering, even in the face of ‘intense provocations.’

Such conduct, according to Emmanuel, “further frustrated the opposition’s initial plan to arrest and detain some key members of the party till after the elections.”

His words, “PDP is unstoppable. There is no way we would not win; we have gone round the whole Akwa Ibom. PDP is like a religion in Akwa Ibom.

“They planned evil, God did not allow it to happen, God has disappointed and will continue to disappoint them. We started in peace and ended in peace and success. Akwa Ibom is 100 percent PDP and 100percent we shall win.

“They wanted to arrest and intimidate some key members of our party but God has disappointed them. People came up and talk like Pharoah and Nebuchadnezzar, but God has disappointed them. Akwa Ibom Youths have rejected thuggery, they have embraced peace.”

Reacting to a statement credited to some key members of the APC that elections would be done in three hours, Emmanuel argued that election takes a process, and maintained that Akwa Ibom people would resist any attempt by anyone to truncate a free, fair and credible process.

Addressing the rally, the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Barr Onofiok Luke, declared to Akwa Ibom people that governor Emmanuel has performed creditably well as he has conscientiously and prudently managed the resources of the state.